Visa, MasterCard unveil efforts to simplify mobile-payment systemsVisa has launched the Visa Ready Partner Program, which is designed to make it easier for its mobile partners to integrate their wireless devices, hardware and software with the credit-card company's technology. And Sunday, MasterCard introduced MasterPass, its effort to make it simpler for retailers to introduce mobile-wallet services. "There's no e-commerce or m-commerce, there's just commerce," MasterCard's Ed McLaughlin said of his company's goal of unifying payment technology. TechCrunch
(2/22)
,CNET
(2/24)
,ReadWrite
(2/25)

Marketing & Monetization

McDonald's touts Fish McBites with interactive mobile appMcDonald's has a new mobile application and rich-media advertisements surrounding its Fish McBites, writes Rimma Kats. The app has an interactive Frankie the Fish that can be made to voice the user's words, encouraging social sharing, and promotes the idea of mixing Fish McBites creatively with other food. "[T]he approach of literally inviting customers to play with their food shows real confidence. ... [T]here aren't many brands that could pull this off without coming across as silly or trying too hard," says analyst Steven Duesbury. Mobile Marketer
(2/25)

Microsoft touts developer interest in Windows Phone 8 appsMicrosoft said it now has more than 130,000 applications in the Windows Phone Store, and more importantly, downloads are up 75% since the introduction of Windows Phone 8, leading to a 91% increase in paid-app revenue. "More than 40,000 new developers registered with the company in the first 90 days since the launch of Windows Phone 8, and there are now over 15,000 apps in the store that leverage features only available in Windows Phone 8," writes Frederic Lardinois, adding Microsoft has opened a mobile version of its Dev Center dashboard. TechCrunch
(2/25)

Yandex debuts an alternate Android store and 3D interfaceYandex is opening an alternative Android application marketplace called Yandex.Store, with a catalog of 50,000 apps to start, Robin Wauters writes. "[T]he Russian Internet services juggernaut is also launching a brand new version of its 3D interface for Android-based smartphones, which is dubbed Yandex.Shell," Wauters writes. TheNextWeb.com
(2/25)

Marketers Needs

Orbitz offers exclusive deals to users of new iPad appOrbitz's new iPad application allows consumers to book flights, hotels and rental cars, and includes discounts exclusive to mobile customers called Orbitz Mobile Steals. Orbitz is running a contest for a free trip to Chicago to promote the new app. "Orbitz wants to be everywhere consumers are. We really embrace the way that people want to shop and we want to be at the forefront of that," says Chris Brown, Orbitz's vice president of mobile. MobileCommerceDaily.com
(2/26)

Developer Corner

BlackBerry to reconsider many rejected appsBlackBerry has agreed to review several applications that were submitted then rejected under its Built for BlackBerry developers program, Jon Russell writes. "I've looked at many of the apps, and I've seen that some of the apps that have been rejected have greater utility than the reviewer initially thought," says Alex Saunders, head of developer relations. Saunders added that those apps that are belatedly accepted will be credited retroactively in BlackBerry's $10K Developer Commitment program. TheNextWeb.com
(2/25)

Developers like Facebook's new error-handling SDKFacebook's new software development kit offers better mobile analytics for determining sharing and actual usage, conversion logging from ads running in iOS apps, logging of in-app purchases, and better error-handling, writes John Koetsier. "It's about time. I was living in a world of pain trying to unstick users with expired tokens due to various reasons," says developer Jack Tihon of Endorse. VentureBeat
(2/25)

Public Policy

Bloomberg joins chorus calling for more high-skilled immigrantsMichael Bloomberg is among those launching a campaign for more high-skilled-worker immigration called "March for Innovation." The New York mayor is working with AOL co-founder Steve Case, Foundry Group's Brad Feld and venture capitalists, among others. "The immigration debate in Congress should be an opportunity not only to fix the problems of the past, but also to look forward and create an immigration system that brings the best, brightest and hardest workers to our shores," Bloomberg says. The Hill/Hillicon Valley blog
(2/25)

MMA News

MMA Forum New York -- "Mobile's Role in the Path to Purchase" May 8-10, 2013From awareness through consideration, sales and ultimate brand loyalty, mobile now plays an important and highly unique role in driving deeper consumer engagement along the path-to-purchase. That's why many of today's top marketers build multichannel marketing strategies -- with mobile as the glue -- to deliver consistent experiences across all consumer touch points throughout the customer journey. Join us for the 2013 MMA Forum New York as we learn how to get into the minds of the mobile consumer, deconstruct the path-to-purchase, and shed light on how the practices of mobile marketing are driving consumer engagement and profitable, repeat, revenues. The MMA NY Forum is the industry's premier mobile marketing event. Register today!

Webinar: Introducing the MMA Mobile Coupon Ad Unit Standard InitiativeThe MMA recently announced an industry initiative to launch a mobile coupon ad unit standard. The goal of this standard is to drive the volume and effectiveness of mobile media spend by connecting the top of the funnel with trackable redemption events. This initiative has the participation and support of industry including companies such as Inmar, Sprint, ISIS, FunMobility, HipCricket, Univision, Valpak and many others. This webinar will introduce the standard and why it's important, as well as provide ways you can get involved in upcoming field trials. Register now to attend.